The next day I drove past the first married couple’s house. The Subaru still sat out front. I secured my magic number, the number that I would pay and still feel satisfied. It was higher than the first, but still lower than theirs. The husband asked if I wanted to buy it. “I’m still having a hard time with the price,” I said.

I learned how much a months worth of diapers cost. They learned that I’d have to work three days to cover the difference they were asking. Both in the same situation, we watched each other’s actions, the rocking of the baby, eyes towards the ground. I picked at my fingernails, she sighed then continued chatting. I moved to the edge of the couch. He made a lower offer. A little bit more, I suggested. More silence. For forty-five minutes we played the negotiating game before coming to my magic number.

I picked my car up today. We immediately drove to the car wash, Mr. Richards, my Pretty Panther and I. That’s her new name, my powerful and fearless black cat. Baby Blue has graciously stepped aside. She sits on the street leaving the parking space for my new car, the one that I deserve.

Ellen Peneski currently serves as President of EEPConsulting, a firm specializing in customer service solutions. She has just finished her first book in the Road Map Series.

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